The Hidden Grimoire by Karla Brandenburg (pride and prejudice read TXT) 📕

my babysitting his daughter? I didn’t like being caught in the middle between my cousin and his wife, and yet I wanted to know Georgia, to establish a relationship with her she could draw on later.

Georgia made train sounds and pushed the train despite it traveling under wind-up power. She rocked, clapped her hands and giggled.

The customers who stopped in spared a smile for Georgia while they browsed. Because it wasn’t tourist season, most of them were locals in to pick up a bar of soap or check out Cassandra’s fashions.

We exhausted all the toys in Georgia’s travel bag, including reading a couple of books. Two hours passed quickly and I grew concerned for LeAnne. Doctors often ran late, and OBs might be delayed with unexpected deliveries, but if that was the case, I’d presumed LeAnne would call.

Georgia lay beside Ash on the blanket, stuck her thumb in her mouth and closed her eyes. Nap time, apparently. Ash inched closer and cuddled against Georgia’s back.

Another half hour passed before Jason stormed into the shop. He stopped when he saw his daughter sleeping peacefully in the corner.

“This will not be a regular occurrence,” he whispered.

“How’s LeAnne?”

He didn’t bother to answer. Instead, he gathered Georgia’s things and stuffed them into her travel bag. He scooped her into his arms, jostling her to wakefulness.

She cried and reached for me. “Aunt Bwinn.”

I shushed her and patted her back. “Daddy’s got you.”

“Daddy mad.”

I shot a look at Jason designed to point out his temper didn’t help things. I tried to keep a reassuring tone in my voice. “Daddy loves you.”

She burrowed against his neck. Jason closed his eyes and breathed deep.

“Whatever harm you think I might do,” I said, “make sure you consider how your anger affects her. Children are sensitive to that sort of thing.”

“What do you know about raising children?” he asked.

“Enough to know her father’s anger frightens her.”

“Stay out of it.”

“What are you afraid of, Jason?”

He picked up the travel bag while I folded the blanket Georgia had been resting on.

“Thank you,” he said grudgingly.

“It’s what family does. I hope everything is okay with LeAnne and the baby.”

He opened the door and turned one last time. “I can take care of my family. This won’t happen again.”

Chapter 13

LeAnne wouldn’t have sent Jason to retrieve Georgia unless she wasn’t able to. At least I didn’t think so. I texted her to make sure she was okay. She replied that the doctor had admitted her to the hospital overnight for observation, apologized for Jason’s bad manners, and thanked me again for helping out.

Kyle walked into the shop, looked around. “Where’s Georgia?”

“Her father picked her up.”

“Her father?” He dipped his chin. “And?”

“LeAnne was admitted for observation. Should I visit her?”

“That depends. What did your cousin say when he found you babysitting his daughter?”

I frowned. “He wasn’t happy.”

Kyle hugged me. “This is why I love you. In spite of the way he’s treated you, you still want to do the right thing by his wife.” He pulled away. “Unless you have another reason to want to visit her.”

I rolled my eyes. “No. She’s family. She’s in the hospital.”

He nodded. “My advice? He’s probably going to be there. You don’t want him making a scene, and his wife doesn’t need the added stress.”

“You’re right.” I sighed.

“I should have been here to protect you, but Otis was suspicious of kids hanging around the Five-and-Dime. He’s worried they might be shoplifting.”

I punched his shoulder. “Will you stop? You have a job to do, and I don’t need a bodyguard. Was Otis right?”

“Didn’t catch ’em, so couldn’t say. I told him to put up security cameras if he’s really worried.” Kyle checked his phone. “I’m going to head to the PD to wrap up my shift. You going to be okay?”

“I’ll be fine.”

Kyle kissed me goodbye and I went through my closing routine before I checked the website one last time. Several transactions had come through, and I gathered the product to ship out tomorrow. After I’d packed and labeled the orders, I collected Ash and my tote and locked up.

Kyle met me on the street.

“Any more problems?” he asked.

“All good,” I told him.

Kyle took my tote and we left the street for the footpaths, where the sun had melted what remained of the snow to make mud. I picked my steps carefully, trying to avoid the messiest spots.

“I was thinking about Thanksgiving,” Kyle said. “For a lot of years, it’s just been me and my dad. Now that we’re getting married, I thought we could make things more festive, bring all the family together.”

I hoped that didn’t include his aunt, who was currently institutionalized. Putting my aunt and his father in the same room wasn’t necessarily a good idea, either. Their relationship might be ancient history, but it hadn’t been forgotten.

“What do you think?” he pressed.

I rounded my shoulders, worried Kyle’s big happy family image wasn’t realistic. “Before I came to Hillendale, Thanksgiving was always uncomfortable with Aunt Theresa and Uncle Jerome. I have to say I never felt very thankful. After I moved, Nora and I never made a big deal out of it.” I took his hands. “Do you think it’s a good idea to have Nora and your father in the same room? Especially if we invite Nora’s husband.”

His open expression indicated he was more optimistic than I was. “Which is why we should figure something out sooner rather than later. Everyone can come to my house. Neutral ground.”

I sighed. “I don’t know. It might work this once, but what do we do when you flip the house? Would your father come to Nora’s...” I shook my head. “I mean, my house?”

He frowned. “We could always go to a restaurant.”

“I’ll see what Nora thinks. We’ve kept things pretty simple in the past.” Something I actually had been thankful for.

We left the footpath moments later.

“See you in a few minutes.” Kyle handed me my tote, gave me a quick kiss, and headed toward his house.

Once